Method and means of making fasteners



Jan. 9, 1940. F. M. ZENNER I METHOD AND MEANS OF MAKING FASTENERS FiledOct. 14, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l m m y b 46 49 5/ 47 3 fiederz'cfiMZemzeI;

Jan. 9, 1940. F. M. ZENNER 2,136,892

METHOD AND MEANS OF MAKING FASTENERS Filed Oct. 14, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet2 U37 4 I6 2427 25 2850.5 4 I I/ Jan. 9, 1940;

F. M. ZENNER METHOD AND MEANS OF MAKING FASTENERS Filed 001:. 14, 1936sets-Sheet 3 {ZSQ R Sumac/1410b fiederz'di 11120222202;

Jan. 9, 1940. F. M. ZENNER 2,186,892

METHOD AND MEANS OF MAKING FASTENERS Filed Oct. 14, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet4 Patented 1m. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT o-FFlcE Frederick M. Zenner,Wheatfield, N. Y., alsignor to Remington Band Inc., Bnilalo, N. Y.

' Application October 14,1936, Serial No. 105,551

This invention relates to a method of making paper fastener bases andalip t them to folders.

This application is in part a continuation of 5 application Serial No.27,221, filed June 18, 1935,

The present method invention provides for the manufacture of paperfasteners, particularly a tyle of fastener adapted for use oncorrespondence folders and comprehends a novel method of 10 making thefastener bases and applying them to folders or other supporting sheetsor backing members, in a simple, eflicient and economical manner.

The method of the present invention comprehends the manufacture offastener bases from a single strip of sheet metal, by forming. the sheetmetal in a progressive manner with outwardly projecting attaching prongson the side edges arranged in pairs along each edge, the prongs on oneedge corresponding with the prongs on the opposite edge, in a desiredmanner; the subsequent forming of suitable binder prong supporting meanson the strip at spaced intervals arranged in a fixed relation withrespect-to the attaching prongs which are subsequently bent into aposition to extend substantially perpendicular fromthe strip; and thefinal severing of the strip into sections each containing a set of inthe central portion.

The invention further provides for the substantially simultaneousapplication of the severed base member to a folder or support sheet 35in one continuous operation including the clinching of the prongs tofirmly attach the base member to the support sheet and the cutting of anopening in the sheet around the strap section so that the support sheetor backing member can under the strap section on the inside of thebacking member opposite to that on which the base member seats. In caseswhere it is desirable to emboss the folder to provide a recess for re- 5ceiving the fastener base, the invention provides for the embossingoperation on the folder at the time the fastener base is appliedthereon.

The invention provides further for the accurate gauging of theoperations above described 50 on the strip in the progressive mannerreferred to through performing all of the operations before the basemembers are separatedso asto accurately position thestrip in each of aseries of operating zones so-that allof the parts on 55 each base memberwill have a fixed relation prongs, one pair on each edge and a strapsection I then have a binding prong member inserted through thisprecision operation to provide base members that are of uniformconstruction.

The invention comprehends a novel method of making base members forpaper fasteners with attaching prongs by forming portions of the prongssuccessively that are ultimately carried by each base member andcompleting the prongs in the next-successive operation in forming aportion of theprongs on the next succeeding base member to be made fromthe strip.

' This-method further includes the use of a cutout portion of the stripbetween a pair of the prongs made in one of the prong-formingoperations, in cooperation with a gauge member, to

' secure the positioning of the strip for each operastrip form andthensimultaneous with the severing of each fastener base from the end ofthe strip in successive order it is immediately applied to a backingmember or folder with the clinching of the attaching prongs on the baseto thisbacking member or folder and the simultaneous cutting of anopening in the backing member to receive the means that support thepaper binding structure on the backing sheet or folder.

Another feature of the invention resides in the mechanism for applyingthe fastener base to the folder, either with or without forming anembossment or recess in thefolder to receive the base.

In the drawings:

' Fig. 1 illustrates a fragment of a folder in perspective with afastener applied, thereto in 40 accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is across section taken on line 2- 2 of Fig. lshowing the binderprong having the ends bent to extend in perpendicular relation to thefolder.

invention. 66

l'ig.4isabottomplan vie'woftbestripas sho in Fig. 3.

1"lg. 5 shows the strip as illustrated in Fig. 3 in side elevation withfragments of the dies and a supporting structure shown diagrammaticallyor in fragmentary cross section in operative relation with the strip.

Figs. 6 and '1 are fragmentary cross sections through the severing punchtaken at right angles to the plane of Fig. 5 showing diagrammaticallyprogressive positions of the parts that sever a fastener base from thestrip and illustrating how it is applied to a backing member or folder,how the prongs are clinched into position to hold the base member on thebacking member or folder, and how the hole is cut in the backing memberto accommodate the strap section, the line on which the second sectionis taken being indicated by the line 8-4 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a cross section showing fragments of some of the parts similarto the illustration at the right-hand end of Fig. 5, showing a modifiedform of construction of the punch device for severing a fastener fromthe strip, applying it to the folder, clinching the prongs on thefolder,

embossing the folder to provide a. recess for receiving the fastenerbase, and cutting a hole in the folder to accommodate the strap section.

Fig. 9 is principally a cross section taken sub- 80 stantially on theline 9-9 of Fig. 8, but havin the punch mounting structure shown inelevation with portions broken away to show some of the details ofconstruction, the parts being in a position with respect to the cycle ofoperation of 86 the device in which the punch has moved downwardly fromthe position shown in Fig. 8 to position the separated fastener basewith the ends of the prongs ready to pierce the paper of the folderandthe slldable clamping block moved so downwardly from the position ofFig. 8 to firmspring-supported ring member.

Figs. 10 and 11 are views similar to Fig. 9 having the parts shown insuccessively progressed 5 position in the cycle of operation forapplying a fastener base to a folder and for embossing the folder toprovide a recess to receive the base.

Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the upper face of the spring-supportedring member and the 0 prong clinching member, the tubular cutter ifbeing omitted.

Fig. 13 is a vertical cross section taken on line 18-" of Fig. 12, thelower portions of the ring member and clinching member being broken 55away, and a fragmentary portion of the lower end of the severingpunchbeing shown in engaged relation with a fastener base and afragmentary portion of a folder, the folder being embossed to receivethe base; the illustration showso ing the end of the operation forapplying the fastener base to the folder. 4

Fig. 14 shows fragmentary portions of the upper end of thespring-supported ring member and the clinching member used in connection66 with Figs. ii and 9, in perspective and in disassembled relation.

Fig. 15 is a vertical cross section through a fastener base madeaccording to this invention applied to a folder, only a fragmentaryportion 70 of the folder being illustrated, for the purpose of showinghow the folder is embossed to receive and house the fastener base.

The completed fastener attached to a suitable backing or supportingmember is illustrated in m Fig. i, the backing member being in the formoi afclder I providedwithanopeninglinoae cover. Asshowninl'igs.landiafastenerplate orbaseiissecured againattheouterorbafl face of theflap of the folder or other backing and is formed on a pair of oppositeedges with 5 pairs of attaching prongs 4 projected through folder i andbent down on the opposite face of the sheet to rigidly secure plate orbase member 3 to the cover.

The central portion of plate or base I is formed 10 with an offset strapsection I in the central portion that projects through opening 2 in thecover of folder I. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 this strap section 5provides a passage between the strap section and the adjacent face ofbase I for 18 the insertion of a binder prong 0 under the strap portionin the manner illustrated in Fig. 1. When the central portion ispositioned under the strap portion as illustrated in Fig. l the ends maythen be bent upwardly into the position 10 illustrated in Fig. 2 whenthey are ready to receive the papers that are to be bound together inthe folder.

The fastener bases 3 are each formed from sheet metal by the novelmethod illustrated in Figs. 3 to 7. A single plain sheet metal strip Ihaving a width equal to the over-all dimension of base member 3 andprongs I is used. The method is preferably. performed in a machinehaving parts specially arranged to carry out the different operations ata series of spaced points or zones so as to successively form the stripin each zone in a progressive step-by-step manner to provide finishedseparate fastener bases.

In the first zone indicated generally at I in Figs. 3 to 5 the oppositeedges of strip I are recessed by removing portions of the side edges toprovide in successive operations the attaching prongs 4.

The recesses may be formed preferably by a cutting die having a shapegenerally indicated by the cross-hatched section indicated at I in Fig.3. The dies 0 are formed to out two recesses in opposite edges of thestrip, one indicated at iii which is a relatively narrow recess or slotso as to provide two attaching prongs 4 in relative close relation butspaced from each other by the width of the slot ll. As will be seen fromthe following description the strip is severed between the two closelyspaced tongues in the formation of the fastener bases and from Fig. 3 itwill be noted that in the formation of the slot II the die 8 also formsthe adjacent sides of the two closely spaced tongues or prongs. In thisformation of the closely spaced prongs the dies D will form one-half ofthe prong indicated at Ii, in that one side is formed by the part of thedie providing the recess II and adjacent the outer edge of the strip abeveled portion II on the die provides one-half of the pointed end forthe U attaching prong.

The die has a wide projection I! to form the wide opening between thepair of prongs on each side of one base member and through thecooperation of the parts forming the recess II and the wider recess I4formed by the projections II, the dies I form one complete attachingprong indicated at II in Fig. 3. At the opposite ends of the projectionsif on the dies from that forming the complete attaching prongs II. eachprojection i3 is formed to cut one-half of the next attaching prongprogressing to the left on the strip and is adapted to provide one-halfof the pointed end of the next attaching prong as indicated at MS.

.The portion of the attaching prong so formed at the left-hand side ofthe projections ll of dies 9 as shown in Fig. 3, will be advanced in thenext operation on strip I in the direction of the arrow to the positionof prongs numbered II in Fig. 3, so that dies 9 will form the other halfof the prong in the manner in which it is shown forming prongs II. Inthis way the dies 9 in one operation complete one prong on each side ofstrip 9 by forming a pair of recesses of diiferent size in the strip andalso completes two halves of two prongs at opposite sides of thecompleted prong l5 Ln the manner'cle'arly shown in Fig. 3. In the nextoperation where the strip is moved one step in its progressive feedingthrough the series of zones, the strip is positioned so the other halfof the second prong on one base member. is completed, to complete thepair of spaced prongs on said base member, and at the same timepartially forming one and one-half prongs on the next succeeding basemember.

In the operation of dies 9, it will be understood that complementary dieblocks are positioned Fig. 5 illustrates "the position of dies 9relative to strip I in side. elevation at rest, in inoperative position,at their upper limit of movement ready for the next cycle of operation,and also shows the relation between the dies 9 and the other membersthat are employed in conjunction therewith for the formation of thestrip in a manner to be described.

r A suitable conventional feeding mechanism for feeding the strip 1 instep-by-step progressive motion in the direction" of the arrows shown inFigs. 3 and 4, is provided on the machine mounting the partsdiagrammatically illustrated iii the drawings, any well known feedingmechanism being used, which is not disclosed, because it does not formpart of the invention and is not-necessary to a clear understanding ofthe method of manufacturing the fastener bases.

The strip 1 progresses to the second zone after theformation-ofattaching prongs l in the manner above described, where a gauging memberI! having a tapered end portion I9 is used to accurately gauge theposition of the strip in all of the zones of operation. This gaugemember I! has a width equal to the distance between the adjacent edgesof a pair of the prongs on one base member so that the side edges ofgauge member I! will engage the adjacent side edges of the attachingprongs on each successive portion or section of strip 1 that forms abase member 4. When gauge member, I! descends from the 'position shownin Fig. 5 to a lowered position through or past strip 1 the side edgesabove the tapered end I9 'will engage between prongs I in the mannerdescribed above, and as shown in Fig. 3, and through the accuratepositioning of the gauging member I! with reference to the other formingelements, such as dies 9. strip I is moved back or forth longitudinallyto accurately position the strip for each successive operation thereonby the dies 9 and the other operations hereafter described. l

In this way all of the attaching prongs 4 will be formed of auniformsize and uniformly spaced apart by the dies 9' and all of theother parts of the strip will be formed with accuracy and Q precision sothat all'of the parts on each successive section which forms a basemember when separated from the strip will be uniformly arranged inrelation to each other so that all of the base members will be ofduplicate construction. The operative relation of gauge member l1 anddies'9 is shown in Fig. 5, these parts being mounted on a supporting andoperating plate or block not shown, which moves these members up anddown in their operations upon the strip simultaneously.

In the third zone of operation apunchlng die I! fixed in the relationshown in Fi 5 to the dies 9 and gauging member I1, is af'igged to movesimultaneously therewith and to perate on the center of the strip in themanner illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5, to form strap portions 5. It will benoted from Figs. 3 and 5 that as die i9 descends onto the top of strip1, it engages in is located centrally between the side edges of thestrip and also between a pair of spaced prongs 4 that are provided onone of the successive sections of strip I subsequently separated to forma fastener base. When die l9 descends into engagement with the strip forthe formation of strap sections 5 it will be noted that it depresses thestrap sections downwardly from strip 1.

Strip 1 is slit at a pair of spaced points indicated at extendingtransversely of strip I so that a portion of the strip is separated fromadjacent portions in order that this portion may be depressed and oiTsetfrom strip I to form of!- set strap section 5.

As shown in Fig. 5 a die block 2| is provided on the supportingstructure indicated at 22 of the machine for forming strip 1.- This dieblock is formed with an opening 23 the size of the die l9, so as toslidably and telescopically receive the same together with the portionsof strip 1 forming strapsections 5. Below the recess or opening 23 thereis provided an enlarged opening 24 in the die block to receive a plunger25 slidably mountedin block 2| and urged upwardly by spring 25.Theplunger 25 is provided with a projection 21 slidably mounted inopening 23 and formed to be com'plemental to die I 9fso as to cooperatewith the die'in the formation of strap sections 5 in the, offsetrelation illustrated. It will be noted that this strap section is offsetto an extent sufflcient to provide a passage on the side of the base 3from which the strap section projects, so that prongs 6 can be slidablyinserted under the strap section and over the face of the base. After astrap section 5 is offset by die I9 in the third zone, plunger 25 pushesthe strap section out of die block 2| and in the next movement of strip1 in the direction of the arrow in Figs. 3 and 4 the bottom face ofstrap section 5 will ride on top of die block 2| a short distance untilit reaches the slot indicated in dotted lines at 29 in Figs. 3 and 5,when it will drop into this slot so that the strip will then ride onthe'face of the die block as shown in Fig. 5.

The next zone of operation secures the bending of attaching prongs 4into laterally extending relation from strip 1. After strip 1 leaves thezone for the formation of strap sections 5 it moves on to a die block 29adjacentto die block 2|, block 29 being formed with a portion of theslot 29. The die block 29 is formed with recesses 30, Fig. 3. adjacentopposite edges of strip 1. Under the central portion of the strip thedie block is constructed to receive a guide strip 3| having a widthequal to the distance between the inner ends of the recesses in oppositesides of the strip so that the prongs may be bent laterally against theopposite side edges thereof, and so that the strip with the prongs inhis laterally the central portion and is so positioned that it m andbend them into laterally mam; position.

This operation is such that while die 32 engages four of the prongs, itbends them laterally in groups of two on each side and in the nextoperation the group of two previously bent laterally is again engaged inorder to insure the complete bending of the prongs into perpendicularrelation to strip I in a uniform manner.

It will be noted from Fig. 3 that die I! operates on the prrn'gs of twosuccessive sections of strip '20 I that are subsequently detached toform two bases 3. Die 32 ismounted on the same operating and supportingmember that carries dies 3 and it and gauging member I], and therelation between these parts is clearly illustrated in Fig.

5, all of them moving simultaneously in, the

operation of the machine to perform their respective operations asdescribed hereinabove. simultaneously, on different portions of strip 1in the separated zones of operation described.

It will be clearly understood that the strip is fed in a step-by-stepmotion a distance equal to the width of one fastener base 3 in eachsuccessive movement of the strip in the direction of the arrows as shownin Figs. 3 and 4, and as a result attaching prongs 4, and strap sections5 are progressively formed on the strip into their completedrelationwith the attaching prongs depending from strip I inperpendicular relation as illustrated.

Following this operation the feeding of the strip as shown in Figs. 3 to5 will move the end which is formed with the completed and connectedfastener bases ready for separation to the right along guide 3| into thesevering and attaching mechanism indicated at I4 and illustrated inFigs. 5, 5 and 7. A stationary supporting and guide structure is formedwith a passage 35 to receive the end of strip 1 as it leaves guide 3|. Aplate 31 is attached to supporting and guide structure 35 as shown inPig. 5 and has a passage ll registering with passage 35 also formed toreceive and support one end of guide 3i which is suitably securedtherein by the screw II. In the illustration in Fig. 5 it will beunderstood that passages It and 35 are formed with a central grooveportion to slidably receive the under face of the central portion. ofstrip I formed with strap sections 5 while at the side edges of thestrip they are formed with depending slots to receive and slidablyaccommodate the depend ing prongs 4 on the side edges of the strip. InFig. 5 the section through supporting and guide structure II is taken ona line extending along the central groove portion while strip 1 is shownin side elevation for the purpose of indicating the general arrangementof-the parts to secure the guiding and other operations on the strip.Supporting and guide structure 35 is formed at the right-hand end asshown in Fig. 5 with 75 it has a size suitably adapted to the. aver-mgof a vertical square slot 4|, closed by plate 4i seronebasememberatatimeinsuccessiveoperationfromtheendoi'stripl. Passagecommunicates with guideway 4| so that as strip I is fedto the rightasshown inFiss. 3 to 5 the end' will be projected into guideway 40 frompassage wardly in the direction of the arrow part of its stroke, thepunch having severed one fastener base 3 from strip 1 with the severedbase 3 moved downwardly in guideway 4. part of its movement so that itcan be applied to a folder in the subsequent downward movement in amanner that will now be described.

After each fastener base is severed from. strip 1 it may be dischargedfrom the lower end of passage and collected in a suitable container ifit is not desired to immediately apply the fastener bases to folders orbacking members. However, as these fastener bases are used for the mostpart on backing sheets and folders, it is desirable to immediately applyeach base to the backing sheet or folder in which it is to be used.

Suitable means is provided for this purpose in.

which the supporting base 22 is formed with a cylindrical bore 44 inaxial alignment with guideway 40. A guide and supporting table 45 ismounted immediately above base 22 and formed with a cylindrical openingin axial alignment with bore 44.

A spring supported ring member 45 is normally projected upwardly throughbore 44 so that the annular flange on the lower end engages shoulder 41which positions the upper end in spaced relation just below the lowerend of guide and supporting structure 35 in axial alignment withguldeway 40. Ring 45 is provided with a square central opening 4| of asize approximately that of a fastener base 3. A clinching member 4' ismounted inside ring 45, slidably receives said ring and is provided witha squared end ll slidably engaging in squared opening 48. Clinchingmember 49 is operable in bending prongs 4 inwardly toward each other inthe manner illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, to clinch them on a folder orbacking sheet. The inside of clinching member 49 is hollow and a tubularcutter Ii is mounted in said member for cutting the hole 2 in the folderor backing sheet.

The manner in which these parts cooperate will be best understood by adescription of the operation of the several parts' in reference to Figs.5, 6 and 7. Ring 45, clinching member 4! and cutter 5i are in theirnormal inoperative positions in Fig. 5 ready to start a cyc!e ofoperation. Clinching member 43 and cutter II are mounted in fixed, butadjustable, relation on support 22 in any convenient manner (not shown)well known in the art, below the mounting forring 45. As above stated,severing punch 42, as shown in Fig. 5, has moved downwardly from thedotted line position 43 to the full line position and has severed onefastener base from strip 1. The further movement of severing punch 42 inpassage 46.

Just prior to the starting of this a folder or backing sheet is insertedinto the machine by placing it on table 46 and sliding it between ring46 and the lower end of supporting being well known in the art and notbeing shown in the drawings. With the folder positioned as illustratedin Fig. 5 and indicated by numeral i, the severing punch 42 upondescending downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 5 will force theseparated fastener base downwardly toward the folder or backing sheet Iso as to extend the beveled ends of prongs 4 throughthe folder I intoengagement with ring 46 and clinching member 46 to the positions shownin Figs. 6 and 7.

: As shown in Fig. 6; ring 46 is formed at oppo- 7 site ends of opening48 with beveled portions 54 with which prongs 4 engage immediately uponpiercing the paper or other material of folder i so that the bending ofattaching prongs 4 toward each other is started as the downward movementof punch 42 continues after the ends of the prongs engage beveled faces53. These prongs are folded inwardly in the further downward movement ofpunch 42 until the ends engage clinching member 49 as. shown in Fig. 6.The punch then continues its downward movement to complete the clinchingof the base on the folder to bring the parts into the position shown inFig. 7.

In this further downward movement of punch 42, ring 46 is depressedagainst the tension of the spring and the fastener base is moved down-'ward toward the upper end of clinching member 46 and cutter 5i.engagement with the folder as shown in Fig. '7. .As the-clinching of theprongs is completed the folder is forced down onto cutter 5i so that apiece is cut out of the folder to provide hole 2. Fig. '7 shows thecompletion of this operation with punch 42 at its lower limit ofmovement. In this position the fastener base is just about touching theupper end of cutter 5| so that a clean cut is made in forming opening 2while strap section 6 acts to eject the disc cut out by the cutter.Prongs 4 are tightly compressed in folded position on the folder so thatthe base is rigidly attached thereto. The punch then moves upwardly andring 46. follows until itsflange engages shoulder 41. Then the punchcontinues its upward movement to the starting position 43 and thebacking or folder with the attached fastener base is removed so the nextfolder may be inserted to repeat the operation successively. Cutter ifhas a conventional mounting relative to clinching member 46 so that itmay be adjusted into proper relation therewith, this mounting not beingshown. The completed folder is shown in Fig. 1, a prong 6 having beeninserted under strap section 5. i g

From the above description it will thus be understood that a series offolders -may have fastener bases applied thereto in successive relationby feeding them successively under punch 42 in the manner abovedescribed and that's strip of material I is progressively formed withattach-' ing prongs 4 and strap members 5 in 'spacedrelation with theprongs bent laterally, after which sections to form separate fastenerbases are sevv aisasas pushes the severed fastener base downwardlyoperation This folds the prongs 4 into 5 ered from the end of the stripin successive order, and the separate fastener bases successivelyapplied to backings or folders. It will also be noted that gauge memberll positions strip 1' for all of the, operations including the severingoperation by severing punch 42, so as to form fastener bases that havethe strap sections in fixed relation to the edges thereof and in whichall of the bases are of uniform construction and dimension. Gauge memberi'l cooperates particularly. with dies 6 in the formation of prongs 4 onopposite edges of the strip so that in one operation dies 6 formportions of the prongs on one base member and then in the nextsuccessive operation completes these prongs on the one base member whileportions of the prongs on the next base member are formed, this methodproviding a novel way for making beveled attaching prongs with sharpends that are adapted to pierce the paper of the material to which thefastener base is to be applied.

It will undoubtedly be clear to one skilled in the art that thecompleted fasteners may be left in strip form if desired so thatsections of the a strip I may be cut off from time to time containing anumber of fastener bases. These strip sections containing a number offastener bases could subsequently be inserted into a base applyingmechanism similar to that disclosed in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, or in theremaining figures of the drawings, for the purpose of severing theindividual fastener bases from one another and applying them in theproper manner on suitable folders.

The drawings illustrate a modified form of the invention in Figs. 8 to15 inclusive. The purpose of this modified form of construction is toadd a further step in the method of manufacturing the fastener bases andapplying them to folders that will provide for the offsettingor'embossing of the material forming folder 1 to form a recess forreceiving the fastener base. When the fas-' tener base is applied in therecess, the outer face will lie flush with the back face of the folderand will prevent the base from catching on adjacent files while beingremoved and inserted in a file drawer or cabinet.

Fig. 8, which is a section similar to the righthand portion of Fig. 5showing a fastener severing and attaching mechanism, shows a fragment ofsupporting base 22 constructed in the same manner as shown in theprevious figures with guide and supporting table 46 above base 22 formedwith an aperture aligned with bore .44. Shoulder 41 is thesame structureshown in Fig. 5.

Guide 3| is attached by'screw 36 to plate 21 as hereinabove described.Plate 31 is provided with a passage 26 for fastener strip 1. Thesupporting and guide structure aside from plate 31 is constructed in aslightly different manner from the disclosure of Figs. 5 to 'I. Thissupporting and guide structure is indicated by the numeral 64 and isprovided with guideway 66 from which extend grooves 66 at oppositesides. Guideway 66 slidably receives slidable clamp- .ing block 51retained in position by plates 66 detachably mounted on supporting andguide structure 54 by screws 59. The lower ends of slots 66 are closed.These slots form housings for two springs 60, one positioned at eachside of slide block 51 having the lower ends seated at the bottom of theslot on guide and supporting-structure 64, while the upper ends engageopposite endsvof cross pins 6i slidable in grooves 61. Springs 66normally hold slide block 61 atn and mounted in the upper end of slideblock its upper limit of movement.

A vertical groove in slide block- 61, of square cross section, slidablyreceives, severing punch 62. A retaining plate '66 secured to slideblock 61 by screw 66 mounts severing punch 62 in the groove of slideblock 61 for sliding movement. The lower end of plate 63 which liesbetween plates 66 is provided with shoulders 65 extending underneath thelower edges of plates 66 and may be used to form a positive stop tolimit the upward motion of slide block 61 under the action of springs 60to prevent disengagement of the upper end of the slide block fromsupporting and guide structure 66.

The upper end of severing punch 62 is formed with a reducedscrew-threaded extension 66. A nut 61 is threaded on extension 66adjacent the upper end of the squared portion of punch 62 and has itsperiphery overhanging the edges of the squared portion of punch 62 so asto engage the upper end of slide block 51 as hereinafter described. Theupper end of reduced threaded section 66 engages the lower end ofthreaded sleeve 66 having the threads thereon threadedly engaging in thesupporting and operating plate 68. This supporting and operating plate66 of which only a portion is shown in the drawings, is the plate thatcarries all of the forming dies for the metal strip 1 in forming thefastener bases.

A bolt 16 is extended through sleeve 66 having its head seating on theupper end of the sleeve and its lower end threadedly engaged in athreaded socket in the upper end of severing punch 62. This firmlysecures severing punch 62 to the supporting and operating plate 66 in amanner that it may be adjusted to properly position the relation of thelower end with respect to the rest of the parts of the fastener severingand attaching mechanism so that it will be in proper position toeffectively apply the fastener base to a folder. Adjustments of sleeve66 may be made from time to time to compensate for wear or sharpening orto control the extent of the embossment of the folder and thecompactness of the clinching operation on the fastener prongs.

A pair of actuating pins H are slidably mounted in supporting andoperating plate 66, one on each side of sleeve 66 as clearly shown inFig. 9, for example. The upper ends of pins II have heads that areadapted to engage on the upper surface of plate 69. Coil springs 12 arehoused in casings 12 mounted on plate 69 under compression to normallymaintain the heads of pins H in engagement with the upper face of plate66. The lower ends of pins H are aligned with slide block. 61 adjacentthe oposite sides thereof so that when operating plate 66 descends inits cycle of movement, the lower ends of pins II will engage the upperend of slide block 61 and through the action of springs 12 which aredesigned to overcome the tension of springs 66, side block 61 will bemoved downwardly in its guideway in the supporting and guide structure66 to produce the operation thereinafter described.

,Spring supporting ring member I6 for the most part, is identical inconstruction with ring mem ber 66. The difference is in the formation ofthe parts that receive and operate on the fastener base in clinching thetongues and in the embossment of the folder. Spring supported ringmember I6, as shown most clearlyin Figs. 12 and 14, is formed with asquare opening 16 having an enlarged portion 16 at the upper end ofopening 16 of a size and shape to receive the offset or embossed portion16' formed in folder 1 as illustrated in cross section in Fig. 15, 'soas to cooperate with severing punch 62 and the fastener base inoffsetting or embossing the folder in this manner. Inclined portions l|in ring member 14 engage the ends of the prongs on a fastener base justafter they have pierced the paper of the folder and turn them inwardlytoward each other for the initial clinching operation.

A clinching member 16 similar to clinching member 46 is mounted insideof spring supported ring member H as shown in the drawings. The upperend of clinching member 16 is provided with a squared portion 16 as mostclearly illustrated in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 that slidably engages insquared opening 16 of ring member H. The upper end of the squaredportion I9 is provided with central projections 60 in the centralportion of each side for the purpose of cooperating with ring member 14and punch 62 in embossing the folder and firmly attaching a fastenerbase thereto. The corner portions are at a lower level than the upperends of projections 66 in order to accommodate the thickness of themetal forming the fastener prongs so that each of the prongs will havethe ends engaged on the upper end of squared portion 16 betweenprojections 66 when they will beforced against the under base of thefolder into the finally clinched position as illustrated in Figs. 11 and13.

A tubular cutter 6| identical with cutter 6| is located inside ofclinching member 16 and adjustable with respect thereto so as to cut theopening 2 in the folder. Fig. 11 shows the tubular cutter and clinchingmember mounted on a supporting plate 62 detachably secured in a suitablemanner to supporting base 22.

The dotted line 43 in Fig. 5 illustrates the up- 4 per limit of movementof severing punch 62. Severing punch 62 as shown in Figs. 8 to 11 hasthis upper limit of movement at approximately the same relative positionto the supporting and uide structure. 4

Fig. 8 shows severing punch 62 moved downwardly from this upper limit ofmovement into a position where it has severed a fastener base from theend of strip I and moved the same downwardly a partial distance towardthe lower end of the supporting and guide structure where it is appliedto a folder. In the further operation of the structure disclosed inFigs. 8 to 11 inclusive, to'complete one cycle of operation for applyinga fastener to a folder and embossing the folder, the supporting andoperating plate 66 moves downwardly so as to move severing punch 62downwardly from the position of Fig. 8. The next position in theprogressive movement of punch 62 downwardly is illustrated in Fig. 9, at6 which point the punch 62 has moved the separated fastener base into aposition where the ends of the prongs are just about to pierce the paperof the folder. The folder i has been inserted between the lower end ofthe supporting and 0 guide structure and the upper end of ring member H,previous to this downward movement of punch 62, and positioned bysuitable guides, not shown, carried by guide and supporting table 66.

As punch 62 moves downwardly from the posi- 7 tion of Fig. 8 to thatshown in Fig. 9 actuating pins 1| are brought down into engagement withthe upper end of slide block 61 so that when the punch is moved to theposition of Fig. 9, slide block 61 will have been moved downwardly a anoes:

slight extent. sufflclent to have the lower ends engage the upper faceof folder I and move it against the upper end of spring-supported ringmember ll, so as to firmly, grip the paper between these two members.

Opposite sides of the lower end of slide member 51 are beveled slightlyas shown in Figs. 9, l and ll,so the central portion immediately abovetheupper end of ring member ll forms the part that engages and clampsthe folder against ring member" entirely around the portion thatreceives the fastener base.

In the further downward movement of supporting and operating plate 69severing punch 62. is moved downwardly to force the endsof the prongs onthe fastener base through the paper of folder I into engagement withinclined surfaces ll of spring supported ring member 14.

The next step of movement progressing from shown in Fig. 10, it willalso be seen that'the fastener base has been moved into engagement withfolder I and the portion immediately adjacent the fastener base has beenoffset into the enlarged embossing portion I6 (Fig. 14) of ring member14 to emboss the folder. The strap section on the fastener base is shownas engaged with the paper of the folder immediately thereover which itis pushing downwardly toward tubular cutter 6|. Ring member I4 is shownas having its flange engaged with shoulder 41. It will also be noted inFig. that nut 6'! has moved downwardly with severing 13111101162 untilit has engaged the upper end of slide block 51. In this position it willbe noted that the adjustment of nut 61 has been made so that the lowerend of punch 62 is flush with the lower face of slide block 51. Thisholds the fastener base in such a position that it forces the paper intoenlarged portion 16 of ring member 14 in obtaining the embossingoperation on the folder at the same time as the fastener base is seatedin the depres sion formed by the embossment.

By slide block 51 engaging the paper around" enlarged portion 16 betweenits lower end and the upper end of ring member 14 the paper of thefolder is firmly held in position so that it may not be buckled in anywayin forming the embossment in an efficient manner through forcing thepaper into enlarged portion 16.

In the further downward movement of punch 62, slide block 51 is moveddownwardly due to folder through the operation of clinching member 18.As the ring member moves downwardly the ends of the prongs engage theend of squared portion 19 at the corners and between projections 80, andflatten'out these prongs on the fastener base to tightly clinch thenagainst the paper of the folder. At the same time. tubular cutter 8icuts a circular aperture in the paper to form opening 2 as shown in Fig.1 so the strap'portion of the fastener base can project through theopening tothe inside face of the folder. The

strap section serves to eject the disc cut out of thefolder to formopening 2 toward the bottom open end of tubular cuter 6|. The disc cutfrom the folder is shown in Fig, 11 in partially ejected position.Projections 60 on clinching member I8 operate to push the paper over thefastener base up against the base in the final clinching operation ofthe prongs so that the paper will not be torn and also to cooperate insecuring the embosslng of the paper to receive the fastener base in afinal pressing operation on the paper so that the embossmentis wellformed and the paper will not bulge around the strap member after theopening 2 is cut in the paper.

From' the position shown in Fig. 11 operating plate 68 moves upwardlyand carries with it punch 62. Slide block 61 is raised up initially bythe spring operating ring 14 and then through the operation of springs60 as soon as operating plate 69 is moved upwardly to a point where the'heads on pins II engage its upper face and begin to move upwardly withit. As soon-as slide block is moved upwardly to free the folder frombeing clamped between it and ring 14, the folder may be removed andanother one inserted for a repetition of the operation to apply afastener base.

It will be noted from Figs. 11 and 13 and also Fig. 15 how theembossment is arranged in the folder with respect to the marginal edgesof the fastener base and the prongs thereon. Fig. 11 shows a sectiontaken through the fastener base in the central portion extending throughthe strap sectionand through the two sides provided with the fastenerprongs. Fig. 13 shows a section taken in a plane parallel to that shownin Fig. 11 but over to one side of the fastener base in order toillustrate the cross section through the fastener base and folder whereit is formed with the prongs. The embossment as 11- lustrated in Fig. 13extends outside of the bent portion of the prong. Fig. 13 alsoillustrates how the clinching member receives and clinches the prongsagainst the opposite face of the folder from the remaining portion ofthe fastener base and how the prongs are received at the corners on theends of squared portion 19 of the clinching member adjacent toprojections 80. Fig. 13 also illustrates one of the projections 60 andthe manner in which it cooperates with punch 62 in apoffthe strapsection of the fastener base and having its ends bent into parallelrelation ready to receive papers for filing thereon.

Severing punch 62 occasionally requires sharpening of the lower end inorder to operate efficiently in cutting off the fastener bases fromstrip 1. This,lof course, necessitates the grinding off of the end ofpunch 62 and when it is re-- placed in slide block 51 adjustment of itsrelative position to the slide block and operating plate is required inorder to secure the operation described above. Threaded sleeve' 68 isprovided for this purpose and may be adjusted in supporting andoperating plate 69 in order to compensate for this sharpening of the endof punch 62. Nut 61 will also be adjustedin order that the lower end ofpunch 62 and the lower end of slide block I! will operate in the properrelation to one another.

If desired, the severing and attaching mechanism for severing fastenerbases and attaching them to folders may be entirely omitted and thefastener bases formed in strip I allowed to remain in strip form. Theymay be made in predetermined lengths or a severing mechanism may be madeto operate independent of the remaining portions of the formingmechanism for strip I so that predetermined lengths of the strip Iformed into connected fastener bases may be severed. The severing andattaching mechanism may then be mounted in a separate operatingmechanism of conventional form to secure the cycle of motion of punch 62and its. associated parts as described above, for severing fastenerbases from a strip of connected bases and applying these bases in themanner described. to a folder.

This applies either to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 to 7or in the modified form of construction shown in Figs. 8 to 15 where thefolder is embossed in connection with the app cation of a fastener base.

The invention claimed is:

l. A method of making paper fastener bases consisting in intermittentlyfeeding a sheet metal strip through a series of treatment zones,removin'g portions from the opposite edges of said strip in one zone toform an outwardly extending attaching prong on each side of said stripand portions of two other attaching prongs on each side of said strip onopposite sides of the first mentioned prong, one of said prong portionsbeing complemental to the other whereby the next operation on anadjacent portion of said strip will complete said other prongs, gaugingthe position of said strip in another of said zones to obtain uniformcutting of said strip in forming said prongs in the first-mentionedzone, offsetting the central portion of said strip to form a strapmember in another zone, bending said prongs laterally in another zone,subsequently severing sections from said strip having a pair of theprongs on each side formed in the first mentioned zone adjacent oppositeends thereof, and substantially simultaneously applying said separatedsection to a backing sheet to project said prongs through the sheet,bending the prongs over the other side of the sheet to clamp theseparated strip section thereon and removing a portion of the sheetbetween said prongs to provide an aperture for said strap portion. a

2. A method of making paper fastener bases, consisting in intermittentlyfeeding a sheet metal strip through a series of treatment zones arrangedat predetermined spaced intervals along the strip, removing successiveportions of the side edges of said strip in one zone in successiveoperations in said zone to form attaching prongs, punching said stripsuccessively in another zone to form pairs of slits in said strip inspaced parallel relation and simultaneously offsetting the portionbetween the slits to form a strap section in each operation in saidzone, subsequently severing a section from said strip in another zonesuccessively in each operation to form separate fastener bases eachhaving prongs on opposite sides and a strap section in the centralportion, and positioning said strip accurately for each operation ineach of said zones to uniformly space said'attachin'g prongs and strapsections on each of said bases when severed, by engaging a posimentionedoperation.

aisaeoa tioningmemberinsuooeeaivereoeaeeeinthelide of said strip betweenprongs 3. A method of making paper fastener bases, consisting inintermittently feeding a sheet metal strip through a series of treatmentzones arranged at predeterminedspaced intervals along the strip,removing successive portions from the edges of said strip in one zone toform portions of a set of attaching prongs on successive sections of thestrip, the next operation on the next succeeding section of the strip insaid zone completing the prongs on the preceding section, positioningsaid strip accurately in each zone by engaging a positioning membersuccessively between the prongs on each strip section in another zone toobtain a fixed relation between all of the prongs on said strip, forminga binder prong mounting on successive sections of said strip in anotherzone, and finally severing each section from said strip successively toform separate fastener bases having attaching prongs and a mounting forabinder prong.

4. A method of making paper fastener bases, consisting in intermittentlyfeeding a sheet metal strip lineally through a series of treatmentzones, removing portions from the opposite edges of parts of twosuccessive sections of said strip in each operation in one zone to forman outwardly extending attaching prong on each side of said strip in onesection and portions of two other attaching prongs on each side of bothsections of said strip and at opposite sides of the first-mentionedprong, one of said prong portions being complemental to the other, thenext operation in said zone on the next succeeding sections of saidstrip successively completing a second prong on each side of the sectionof said strip having the completed prongs, forming each section of saidstrip successively in another zone with binder prong holding means, andfinally severing each section from saidstrip successively in anotherzone to provide separate bases having a pair of attaching prongs on eachside and a binder prong holding means.

5. A method of making paper fastener bases, consisting in intermittentlyfeeding a sheet metal strip lineally through a series of treatmentzones, removing successive portions from an edge of said strip in onezone to form recesses defining portions of a set of attaching prongs onsuccessive sections of said strip, the next operation on a succeedingsection of said strip in said zone completing the prongs on thepreceding section, gauging the position of said strip in another zonebymeans of the recesses formed in the first-mentioned zone to accuratelyposition the strip for the operations performed in all of said zones,forming each section successively in another zone with binder prongsupporting means, and finally severing each section successively fromsaid strip in another none to provide separate fastener bases havingattaching prongs and binder prong supporting means thereon.

6. A method of making pap r fastener bases consisting in progressivelyand successively forming a sheet metal strip by cutting out portionsalong the edges to form attaching prongs on opposite edges, thenoffsetting successive sections of said strip to provide a series ofstrap sections, then bending said prongs into laterally extendingrelation successively in groups, then severing each formed section ofsaid strip atthe end to successively form separate fastener bases,

formedinthefirlt eachhavingonestrapsectionandapluralityof 1| attachingprongs, then upon completion of the severing directing the prongs oneach separated base through a separate backing sheet fed thereto andsimultaneously folding said attaching prongs against the opposite faceof the backing sheet and simultaneously cutting a hole in said backingsheet to receive said strap section and provide for insertion of abinder prong under said strap section.

'7. A method of making paper fasteners, consisting in intermittentlynotching opposite sides of successive portions of a sheet metal strip toform attaching tongues, then offsetting central strip portions of eachsuccessive portion to provide a strap portion at one side of said stripuniformly arranged with pairs of said attaching tongues, and bendingsaid tongues to extend laterally from the same side of said strip assaid strap portion to provide a strip of completed attached fastenerbases.

8-. A method of making paper fastener bases, 4

consisting in intermittently feeding a sheet metal strip through aseries of treatment zones, removing portions from the opposite edges ofsaid strip in one zone to forman outwardlyextending attaching prong oneach side of said strip and portions of two other attaching prongs oneach side of said strip on opposite sides of the firstmentioned prong,one of said prong portions being complemental to the other whereby thenext operation on an adjacent portion of said strip will complete saidother prongs, offsetting .a strap portionfrom said strip on eachsuccessive section thereof in another zone with said strap sectionsuniformly arranged with pairs of said attaching prongs, and bending saidprongs to extend laterally from the same side of said strip as saidstrap portion.

9. A method of making paper fasteners, consisting in intermittentlynotching opposite sides of successive portions of a sheet metal strip toform attaching tongues, then offsetting central strip portions of eachsuccessive portion to provide a strap portion at one side of said stripuniformly arranged with pairs of said attaching tongues, bending saidtongues to extend laterally from the same side of said strip as saidstrap portion, severing said successive portions from said strip to formseparated fastener bases, applying each separated section to a backingsheet to project said prongs through said sheet, bending the prongs overthe other side of the sheet to clamp the separated strip section forminga fastener base thereon, and substantially simul- .taneously offsettinga section of said backing sheet to provide a recess to receive saidfastener base, and removing a portion of the sheet between said prongsto provide an aperture for said strap portion.

10. A method of making paper fastener bases consisting in progressivelyand successively forming a sheet metal strip by cutting out portionsalong the edges to form attaching prongs on opposite edges, thenoffsetting successive sections of said strip to provide a series ofstrap sections, then bending said prongs into laterally extendingrelation successively in groups, subsequently severing each formedsection of said strip at the end to successively form separate fastenerbases, each having one strap section and a plurality of attachingprongs, then upon completion of the severing directing the prongs oneach separated base through a separate backing sheet fed thereto andsubstantially simultaneously folding said attaching prongs against theopposite face of the backing sheet and enr- Eossing said backing sheetto receive said fastener 11. A method of making paper fastener balesconsisting in progressively and successively forming a sheet metal*strip by cutting out portions along the edges to form attaching prongson opposite edges, then offsetting successive sections of said strip toprovide a series of strap sections, then bending said prongs intolaterally extending relation successively in groups, subsequentlysevering each formed section of said strip at the end to successivelyform separate fastener bases, each having one strap section and aplurality of attaching prongs, then upon completion of the severingdirecting the prongs on each separated base through a separate backingsheetfed thereto, substantially simultaneously folding said attachingprongs against the opposite face of the backing sheet and embossing saidbacking sheet to receive said fastener base, and simultaneously cuttinga hole in said backing sheet to receive said strap section and providefor a recess for receiving said fastener base, substantiallysimultaneously clinching the prongs on the opposite face of said backingsheet to attach said fastener base in the embossed portion of saidbacking sheet, and simultaneously cutting a hole in said backing sheetto receive said strap sections and provide for insertion of a binderprong under said strap section.

13. A method of applying paper fastener bases to a folder consisting insuccessively severing a fastener base having laterally extending prongsand a strap section from a strip formed with a plurality of connectedfastener bases, feeding said separated fastener base to a backing sheetand projecting the prongs of said fastener base through said backingsheet, simultaneously folding said attaching prongs against the oppositeface of said backing sheet and cutting a hole in said backing sheet toreceive said strap section and provide for insertion of a binder prongunder said strap section.

14. A device for attaching fastener bases to backing sheets wherein thefastener bases are made in strip form and provided with laterallyextending attaching prongs, comprising a spring supported ring memberformed with portions to receive portions of a fastener base with itsprongs, a stationary clinching member mounted in said ring member, atubular cutter mounted in said clinching member and adjustable relativethereto, and a severing punch for severing a fastener base fromsaidstrip, feeding said separated base to project the prongs through abacking sheet supported on said ring member, and for continuing themovement of said fastener base, and backing sheet with said ring membertoward said clinching member and tubular cutter for clinching saidprongs against said backing sheet and cutting an aperture through saidbacking sheet over said fastener base.

15. A devicefor attaching fastener bases to backing sheets and embossingsaid sheets wherein the-fastener bases are in strip form and havelateraliy proiicting attaching prongs, comprising a spring-supportedring member, a stationary clinching member in said ring memberadjustable relative thereto, a stationary cutter in said clinchingmember adjustable relative thereto, said ring member and clinchingmember having parts formed thereon for cooperation in embossing abacking sheet and clinching the prongs on a fastener base, and areciprocable severing punch for severing a fastener base from saidstrip, feeding it toward said members and cutter to project said prongsthrough a-backing sheet into engagement. with the cooperating parts ofsaid ring and clinching members, and finally move said fastener base,backing sheet and ring member toward said clinching member and cutterfor firmly clinching said prongs on said folder, embossing said folderto form a recess receiving said base and cutting an aperture in saidfolder over said fastener base.

16. A device for attaching fastener bases to backing sheets andembossing said sheets wherein the fastener basesj-are in strip form andhave laterally projecting attaching prongs, comprising aspring-supported ring member, a slide block mounted for sliding movementtoward and away from said ring member, a stationary clinching member insaid ring member adjustable relative thereto, a stationary tubularcutter in said clinching member adjustable relative thereto, and areciprocating severing punch slidable in said slide block and havingadjustable means for actuating said slide block in the movement thereof,whereby said punch will sever a a fastener base from said strip, feed itto project the prongs through the backing sheet, operate said slideblock to engage and clamp said backing sheet between it and said ringmember prior to said fastener base prongs piercing said backing sheet,move said slide block and fastener base for embossing said folder byengagement in cooperating portions of said ring and clinching members,and move said ring member therewith to clinch said prongs againstsaid-embossed backing sheet and cut an aperture in said sheet over thecentral portion of said fastener base.

17. A method of making paper fastener bases, consisting inintermittently feeding a sheet metal strip linealiy through a series oftreatment zones, removing portions from the opposite edges of parts oftwo successive sections of said strip in each operation in one zone toform an outwardly extending attaching prong on each side of saidstripinonesectionandportionsoftwootherattaching prongs on each side ofboth sections of said strip and at opposite sides of the first-mentionedprong, one of said prong sections being compiemental to the other, thenext operation in said zone on the next succeeding sections of saidstrip successively completing a second prong on each side of the sectionof said strip having the completed prong, and forming each section ofsaid strip successively in another zone with binder prong holding means,to provide a strip of completed attached fastener bases.

18. A method of making folders with attached fastener bases consistingin feeding a fastener base having attaching prongs and binder prongattaching means thereon to a backing sheet to project the attachingprongs on the fastener base through said backing sheet, embossing theportion of said backing sheet in the zone of said fastener base toprovide a recess receiving said fastener base, and clinching the prongson the 0990- site face of said backing sheet to attach said fastenerbase thereon.

19. A method of making folders with attached fastener bases, consistingin feeding a fastener base having attaching prongs and binder prongattaching means thereon to a backing sheet to project the attachingprofile on the fastener base through said backing sheet, andsubstantially simuitaneously clinching said prongs on the opposite faceof said backing sheet and embossing said backing sheet using saidfastener base in the embossing operation to provide a recess in saidbacking sheet to receive said fastener base.

20. A device for attaching fastener bases to backing sheets wherein thefastener bases are provided with laterally extending attaching prongs,comprising resiliently supported means for supporting a backing sheet,said means having an opening and an enlarged seat formed at the upperend of said opening to provide an embossing portion, a clinching membercooperating with said means for clinching and embossing, and a punchforfeeding a fastener base to project the prongs through a backing sheetsupported on said means and for cooperation with said means andclinching member to emboss said backing sheet into said enlarged seatwith said fastener base engaged in the depression formed by theembossment. and said member clinching said prongs on the opposite sideof said backing sheet when said punch presses said sheet and fastenerbase into full contact therewith.

FREDERICK M. ZENNER.

